Combined choke coil and ground switch



A a- 4, 93 I T. VAN RYAN ETAL 1,816,878

COMBINED CHOKE COIL AND GROUND SWITCH Filed Jan. 30, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jnven torss Tony Van Ryan 8v Alfred Aj saker 1 fiflmzmw M A b Q'v's.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 0m 0Q v} QQ no N m2.

In v e nfb rs: Tony Van Ryan & Alfred Alqaker m WW liLL Filed Jan. 30, 1926 T. VAN RYAN ETAL COIBINED CHOKE COIL AND GROUND S WITCH Aug. 4, 1931.

Aug. 4, 1931. 1'. VAN RYAN ETAg. ,8 8

\ COIBINED cnoxn con) um gaomiu swncu Filed Jan. 30', 1926 4 Shoots-Sheet ,3

an] m uil a! v x- Inventorgr- 76ny' Mm Ryan 6% Alfred Alsaker T. VAN RYAN EI'AL GOI BINBD CHOKE COIL AND GROPND SWITCH Aug. 4,- 1931.

Filed Jan. 36

, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ]nventon5:- 7512 Van Rya1 & v A1fred Awaken? m4;

Atzvls Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFricE TONY VAN RYAN AND .ALFR-ED ALSAKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO THE DELTA-STAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, or

ILLINOIS CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF "COMBINED CHOKE COIL AND GROUNDSWITCH Application filed January 30, 1926. Serial No. 84,842.

choke coils are now commonly employed as barriers for hindering or preventing the rapid propagation of a steep wave frontdisturbance. The cause of such a disturbance in outdoor electric lines is generally atmospheric electricity or what is usually termed lightning. Such a choke coil is interposed in the line in advance of the electrical apparatus to be protected and while it will not absolutely preventthe transmissionof a surge or impulse of disturbance, it tends to flatten out, so to speak, the steep wave 'front and render the disturbance less dangerous. For the proper mounting of the choke coil, each end of the coil should be carried byan insulating support. In other words, the coil should be mounted on a pair of spaced insulators.

-When it is desiredto repair or work on an electric line, the same. may be disconnected from the omnibusor transformer and thus it will, at that end, be removed from the dynamic voltage. However, since the line may be subjected to induced voltages or to connection to live conductors elsewhere, as well as to the influence of atmosphericelectricity, it .is not safe to permit workmento do any work on the. line unless the line ispositivelygrounded. Therefore, it hasbeen the practice to throw a chain over the line to ground it. This method of grounding has proven cumbersome and unsatisfactory and we propose to provide improved. mechanismfor grounding the line. r

According to our invention, we provide a grounding switch andinasmuch as we have observed that it isa suitable place to ground the line at the end associated with the choke coil, we have built the grounding switch and the choke coil into a unitary structure. In our novel structure, the pivot of the switch is preferably mounted upon-the support for.

the insulators associated with the choke coil. Th1s support is normally considered as being grounded and we-purposely make it so for use in conjunction with the ground switch.

.The free end of the blade of our novel SVltCl] is adapted to engage a contact clip upon the remote or live end of one of the insulators which supports an end of the choke coil. Gbviously,the grounding switch should not be closed when the line is live and all possibility of accidental closing of the switch should be prevented.

In order to prevent accidental displacement ot the switch blade, we provided a lock for locking the switch in open position so that an intentional operation is required to unlock the switch. Thus it will be seen that the blade cannot accidentally tall and be closed as by gravity as would be the case in certain positions 01 mounting, as for example, underslung mounting which we have selected for illustration herein.

in connection with the novel lock, we pro vide a novel operating mechanism for the switch for releasing the blade from the lock. Furthermore, this operating mechanism permits us to secure a desirable movement for withdrawing the switch blade from the sta tionary contact terminal by a longitudinal movement of the blade and for bringing the blade into engagement with the stationary contact with a different motion, namely, a lateral or swinging entry of the blade between the jaws of the stationary contact terminal. This movement of the blade readily releases it from any ice or contact corrosion which may have accumulated at the clip and tend to lock the blade thereto.

Also, we provide novel form of contact jaws and spring mounting therefor. These jaws are preferably constructed of sections of copper tubing collapsed flat upon flat flexible ribbon or stranded conductors. The ends of these aws may be curved to provide guiding horns for the switch blade.

Another feature of our invention pertains to a novel mounting for the choke coil which is adopted for general use in connection with such coils.

hile we have illustrated herein an underslung form of choke coil and grounding switch, it is to be understood that we do not intend to limit he invention to the particular type or position of the mounting.

a? I: 1.. L.

Also, we do not intend to limit the present improvement in switches to use as a grounding switch nor in connection with a choke coil.

The principal object of the present invention therefore is to provide a novel combination ground switch and choke coil construction.

Another object is to provide improved locking clip mechanism.

Still another object of our invention is to provide an improved terminal clip wherein the contact members are self-aligning.

Afurther object of the present invention to provide an improved method of and mechanism for moving the switch blade out of engagement with the terminal clip.

A further object of the present invention is topi'ovide an improved choke coil mounting.

A still further object of our invention is a i cut. .c-i an to rovide novel o i act 3 of s mple an hand side thereof;

Fig. 3is'an enlarged view of the ground switch mechanism illustrated in Figure 1 partly broken away and showing the manner in which the blade is actuated;

. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the pivotal mounting for the switch olade of our novel ground switch, as shown in Figure 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 2 and drawn to an enlarged Fig. 8 is a viewtaken on the line 8-8 of Figure'7, looking in the direction in li cated by the arrows;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged elevation of the terminal clip illustrated in Figure 1 in connection with the lower end of one of the underslung insulators; I

Fig. 10 is a view partly in section, taken. on substantially the line 101O of Figure 9,

looking downwardly;

V Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 1111 of Figure 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the ,erable to cast the same.

operating shaft'45 (Fig. 7).

this shaft project beyond the legs 42 and 43 line 1212 of Figure 9, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 13 is a more or less diagrammatic view illustrating a lock such asthat shown in Fig. 6 for locking the switch blade in engagement with the contact terminal; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a modified form of mounting tor the contact awe of the contact terminal.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, in

which like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views, denotesa channel beam support which may be grounded in any suitable manner. This channel beam 20 constitutes the supportfor the underslung insulators 21 and 22 which are spaced a suitable distance apart to support between them the choke coil 30. These insulators may be of any suitable form and insulation value. The upper ends of the insulators 21 and 22 are connected by bases 23 and 24 to the channel beam support 20.

The lower end of the insulator 21 carries a spacing member 25 to which issecured the base 26. An arm 27 of the same thickness, as the spacing member 25 is attached to the insulator 22. Secured upon the arm 27 is the base 428, which is identical with base 26.

Disposed immediately below and intermediate the bases 26 and 28 is a choke coil 30, the opposite ends of which are suitably attached to the bases 26 and 28. The coil 30 includes the usual reinforcing and spacing strips 31, as well as a pair of screens or guards 32 and 83, one being located on each end of the coil. We, preferably, employ four reinforcing bars 31, the lower pair of which (Figure 2), carry a bridge member 35 suitably at tached thereto. Two of these bridge members are employed, one for each end ofthe coil 30. The two bridges 35 are connected by braces 36 to the bases 26 and 28, as is clearly shown in Figure 1. The ends of the electric power line (not shown), are con nected to strips 37 secured to the bases 26 and 28. Thus, it will beseen that the choke coil 30 is interposed in the power line.

Attached to the beam 20 is a metallic projection 40 which has fastened thereto a bearing bracket 41 comprising a'pair of legs 42 and 48. The bearing bracket 41 may be made in any desirable manner, but we find it pref- The spaced legs 42 and 43 of this bracket revolvably carry an The ends of and are adapted to carry couplings 46 which will be more fully described hereinafter.

Positioned immediately below the shaft is a tubular or sleeve member 48 bifurcated at its upper end to form legs 49 and 50. Both of these legs 49 and 50 are pivotally carried on the shaft 45. That is to say, these legs are merely mounted on the shaft, and arenot fastened thereto by a spline or key-way.

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' Disposed intermediate the bifurcations 49 and 50 is the lever 51 (Figure 5), which is preferablysecured to a squared portion 52 on the shaft 45. This squared portion 52 is clearly shown in Figure 7. We preferably secure the lever 51 to the squared portion 52 by means of a clamping plate 53 bolted to the lever-'51. Through the use of this'construction, we are enabled to, at any time, remove thelever 51 with facility fromthe shaft 45. The free end of the lever 51 has pivotally attached thereto, the upper end of a link or connecting element 55, the lower end of which is pivotally attached to a carriage member 56.

Secured to the carriage member 56 is the upper end of a tubular element 57 Disposed in the upper end of the bore 58 of this tubular element 57, is an end of a pin 59. The pin 59 is attached to the tubular element 57 by means of rivets60. It is also attached to the carriage member 56 by means of a rivet 61. The

upper end of this pin 59, as indicated by the reference numeral 62, is preferably provided with a noncorrosivecoating or sleeve 63. As is clearly shown in Figure 5, this end 62 of the pin 59 telescopes the tubular member 48. By providing this end of the pin with a non corrosive covering, we preclude the possibility of the pin becoming frozen to the sleeve or tubular member 48 by corrosion The lower end of the tube 57 is flat and formed into a contact portion 65 equipped with a stop element 66, the purpose of which will be more fully explained hereinafter. The tube 57 plus the pin 59 and the sleeve 48, constitute the s itch arm or blade of our ground switch, and is designated, generally, by the reference numeral 70. The carriage member 56 has secured thereto by bolts 71 and 72, an end of a flat flexible copper conductor 73, the upper endof which is connected directly to the channel beam 20. This results in the tube 57 being directly grounded through the conductor 73 instead of through the sleeve 48 and the bracket member 41.

, lVe shall now proceed to describe in detail our novel lock clip mechanism which we have designated generally by the reference numeral 75, best shown in Figure 6. The locking mechanism 75 is attached to a metallic strip 76 suitably fastened to the channel beam support 20, Secured to this strip 76, is a shield 77 for covering our novel lock mechanism from the eifect ofthe elements. Positioned under the shield 7 7, is a U shap'ed member 78 having a pair of resilient legs 79 and 80. Fastened to each of these legs 79 and 80 is a locking dog 81. Each of the locking dogs 81 have a slanting or cam surface 82, as well as a small aperture or pocket 83. These dogs 81 may be secured to the legs 79 and 80 bymeans ofbolts 84. The tubular shaft or member 57, has secured thereto intermediate its ends, a lock element 85cooperable with the lockingdogs 81 to maintain. the switch blade 70 in the dotted position illustrated in Figure 1. This locking element includes a circular portion 86, partially surrounding the tube 57 and preferably riveted thereto. Formed integral with this circular portion 86, is T-shaped construction 87, having a pair of shoulders 88 for engaging the edges of the locking dogs 81 defining the pockets 83. Obviously, the locking elements on the shaft or tube 57 when pushed into enement w th the cam surface 82 of the dogs 81, spreads the dogs apart and enters the space separating them. This movement of the dogs 81 is permitted. due to the resiliency of the legs 79 and 80' of the U-shaped construction 78. Once the T-shaped construction 87 is in position in the pockets 83 of the locking dogs 81, the shoulders 88 thereof -rorm positive stops for preventing the removal of the element 85 and tube 57. That is to say, it is not possible to remove the locking element 5 from the dogs 81 in the same manner that it inserted therein In order to remove the same from these dogs, it is necessary to move the entire shaft or blade 70 longitudinally, as will be explained hereinafter.

Now, we shall proceed to describe in detail our novel terminal clip associated with the arm 27 and indicated generally by the reference character 90 (Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12). Preferably formed integral with the free end of the arm 27, is a flat sided block 91 to which is attached a pair of spaced springs 92 and 93. The ends of the springs 92 and 93 are held to the block 91 by means of a pair of U-shaped clip members 94 and 95 which straddle the sides of the block 91 and hold the springs incontact therewith. A bolt 96 extends through the members 94 and 95, as well as the block 91 and the springs, and has threaded on its end a nut 97 which, when tightened in position, tightly holds the springs 92 and 93 to the bloclr 91 (Figure 13). The free end of each of the springs 92 and 93 is bent inwardly toward the other spring, as indicated by the reference numeral This bent portion 98, as best illustrated in Figure 9, is adapted to fit in a slot 99 in a channeled element 100. Each of the channel elements 100 are secured to a contact member 101 by means. of rivets 102. The contact members 101 are disposed immediately opposite each other and are adapted to engage opposite sides of'the portion 65 of the switch arm 70. Also, we preferably form the ends of the members 101 into guiding horns 105 for enabling the portion 65 of the switch blade 70 to be moved intermediate the members 101 with facility.

The contact members or jaws 101 are pref erably' constructed of sections of copper tubing collapsed fiat upon fiat flexible ribbon or stranded conductors. The ends of the jaws are then curved to provide the guiding horns 5.

Itshould be noted that the sole support for each of themembers 101 and the elements associated therewith, is the bent end 98 of the associated spring. Normally, when the switch blade 70 is not in engagement with these contact members 101, they are urged toward each other under the resilient effect of the springs 92 and 98. Immediately, how ever, upon the insertion of the portion 65 intermediate. the guiding horns 105., these members 101 are spread apart and pivoted so to speak about the bent ends 98 of the springs 92 and 93. As the portion 65 of the switch blade 70 is pushed further into engagement with these contact members 101,

r they gradually align themselves until they are perfectly flush with the sides of this portion. In other words, these members 101,

' due to the particular way in which they are carried by the springs 92 and 93, are selfalignin'g. This is a highly advantageous feature inasmuch as it insures good contact between the end 65 of the switch blade and these members. Then'too, not. only do the springs 92 and 93 carry the members 101, but they also, at all times, urge these members towards each other and when the blade is in engagement therewith urges them into good Contact with the portion 65. The movement of the portion 65 of the blade intermediate the contact members 101 is limitedby the stop element 66 coming into contact with the abutment bolt 110. This bolt is threaded at its other end into a lateral projection 111 which is integral with the block 91. Also, threaded on this bolt 110 is a lock nut 112 by means of which the position of this bolt may be adjusted.

Each of the contact blocks or members 101 has secured thereto,"in any desirable manner, a flat flexible copper conductor 115 (Fig. 11). The two conductors 115 are then, in turn, connected to the strip 37 fastened to the base 28. Thus, it will be obvious that there is a direct electrical connection between the choke coil and the members 101.

In Fig. 14, we have illustrated a modified form'of mounting for the jaws'or memher 101. Tn this modification, instead of providing a bend in the end of each of the cheaper to manufacture than the form illustrated in Fig. 10.

Referring now back to the couplings 46 and more particularly to the structure illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, it will be noted that the shaft is adapted'to receive, on each end, such acoupling. Thiscoupling comprises a tubular member 120 equipped with apair of lateral flanges 121, which are positioned insubstantially' the same plane and which plane cuts the member to one side of its axis. The tubular member 120 is bolted to the shaft l5 by means of a pair of bolts and nuts 125 and 126, which are disposed in substantially right angles to eachother. Each of the lateral flanges 121 is provided with a slotted aperture 128. It is evident that by attaching the-flanges 121- to those of a cou pling associated with an adjacent shaft that the shaft 45 maybe connected directly to the said other shaft. That is to say, by employing couplings, such as we have described, it is possible'to connect a plurality'of such switches together, so that by operating one, all of them will be actuated simultaneously. The advantage of forming the flanges 121 in a plane that does not cut the axis of the tubular member, is believed to be evident.

That is to say, it is believed apparent that the flanges 121 of the adjacent couplings on another shaft, similar to shaft 45, may be r adily attached thereto by merely reversing the position of the said adjacent coupling with respect to the present one.

The operation of our novel mechanism is as follows: I

Normally, when power is being transmitted over the line associated withthe choke coil 30, carried by the underslung insulators words dead, it may be desirable to ground the p same. This may be accomplished by our novel ground switch. In order to ground the line, however, it is necessary to move the switch blade 70 from the horizontal position to its vertical position into engagement with our novel terminal clip mechanism 90. This, as isobvious, will result in the opposite side of the choke coil 30 being connected directly to the grounded support 20.

N ow, in order to move the switch blade 70,

out of its horizontal position, it is necessary to move the locking element 85, on'the shaft 57 of the switch blade, out of cooperation with the locking dogs of the locking clip mechanism 75. This, as was previously mentioned, can only be accomplished by moving iz o the tubular member 57 of the switch blade 70 in the direction of its length a sufficient dis- ,tance until the element 85 is clear of the loc ing dogs 81. To do this,'it is necessary to actuate the shaft in a counterclockwise direction. This shaft may be turned by any suitable operating mechanism and may be controlled either manually or automatically. Upon turning the shaft 45, the lever 51 through the C0111l60ti11g'ba1 or link 55 moves the carriage 56 in the direction of the length of the switch blade 70 and away from the shaft 45. We have illustrated in Figure 3, the position to which the carriage 56 will be moved This movement will be permitted dueto the fact that there is a los motion connection between the carriage and the sleeve be in to ravitate to its lowermost or vertical 2: 2:. I position.

The downward movementof the switch blade 70 may be augmented by continuing to turn the shaft 45 in a counterclockwise direction. X

1 Upon the portion 65 of the switch blade 70, coming into contact with the guiding horns 105 of the contact members 101, it will serve to cam or spread these members apart until itis in a full contact position with respect to these contact members 101. Obviously, as the portion 65 enters the space separating the contact members 101, they will gradually align themselves to accommodate the said portion. This self-aligning feature is permitted due to the manner in which the contact members 101 are carried by the ends of the resilient members or springs 92 and 93.

' These contact members 101, in reality pivot,

so to speak, about the ends of these springs.

'This self-aligning feature; of the contact V for the contact blocks 101.

members 101 is ideal, inasmuch as it insures a good electrical contact between these members and the portion 65, of the switch blade 70. The movement of the portion of the switch blade is limit-ed by the stop 66 coming into contact with the abutmentbolt 110, the position of which. may be adjusted to suit the particular requirements. Thus, it will be seen that our springs 92 and 93 perform the dual function of, at all times, urging the contact-blocks 101 towards each other and of, at all times, affording a pivotal support for these members. The ends 98 of the contact springs 92 and 93 constitute the sole support Also, by forming the ends of the members 101 into guiding horns 105,'the portion 65 is caused to be guidtoo, the terminal clip 90 may be very easily assembled or disassembled and thus parts thereof may be replaced with facility wheneverthe occasion may demand the same.

Once the portion. 65 of the switch blade 70 is in engagement with the terminal clip mechanism 90, the choke coil 30 will be grounded through the grounded support 20. In order to obtain the best results, we have found it advisable to connect the terminal strip 37 as sociated with an end of the choke coil by copper conductors 115 directly to the contact members 101. Also, we have found it advisable to connect the carriage 56 by a copper conductor 73 directly to the grounded support 20 thereby by-passing, so to speak, the grounded current around the shaft mechanism 45.

Now, due to the inherent construction of the mechanism comprising the switch blade 70, it is necessary, in order to remove the portion 65 from engagement with the contact blocks or members 101, that the tubular meme ber 57 and the carriage 56 of the switch blade 7 0 be moved in the direction of the length of the switch blade. As shown in Figure 3, the

direction of the movement of the carriage 56 and the mechanism associated therewith is towards the shaft 45. That is to say, upon turning the shaft 45 in a clockwise direction, the lever 51 through the link 55 and the carrings 56 will draw the portion 65 upwardly or rather in the direction of the length of the switch blade 70 entirely clear of the terminal clip. 90. This will result in any ice, corrosion or other foreign matter that may have accumulated at the terminal clip being completely severed, so to speak, from the portion 65 of the tubular member 57. That is to say, this longitudinal movement of a certain portion of the switch blade 70 will actually break any frozen condition that might exist at the terminal clip 90, whether it be from corrosion or ice. The upward movement of the carriage 56 will be limited by the end of the sleeve 48. As soon as the carriage 56 abuts the end of the sleeve 48, the link 55 will begin to move the entire switch blade 70 upwardly. In other words, at this time the switch blade 70 will begin to move angularly about its shaft 45.

The lost motion connection between the carriage 56 and the sleeve 48 permits the previously described longitudinal movement of the shaft or tubular member 57 and its portion 65 in the direction leading to the shaft 45. That is to say, the end 62 of the pin 59 will move upwardly inside of the bore of the sleeve 48 until the carriage 56 abuts the end of the said sleeve.

various positions of the lever 51 and itsassociated link '55 are also clearly illustrated in I Figure 3. It is, therefore, our belief that the operation of our novel ground switch mechanism will be readily apparent from the more or less diagrammatic illustration shown in Figure 3. V

In order to cause the switch arm or blade '50 to move more nearly'with the actuating mechanism when the sameis released from the lock 85, we find it desirable to interpose friction washers 15 0 intermediate the legs 424i3 of the bracket 4-1 and the legs 4-9-50 of the sleeve member 48 as shown'in Fig. 4:. These washers 150 tend to prevent or rather retard the gravitating' action of the switch arm 70 so as to enable it to move with the lever 51 link 55 and carriage 56 as the same is actuated by turning of the shaft 15.

' In Fig. 13, we have illustratedmore or less diagrammatically, the manner in which the blade may be locked in engagement with the members 101 of the contact terminal 90. As shown in this figure, a lock 75 such as that shown in Fig. 6 may be mounted in a position adjacent the terminal 90 and may, if'it is so desired, be carried by the insulatorassociated therewith. In this construction the shield 77 may be omitted. The portion 57 of the blade may have fastened thereto a locking element 86 for cooperation with the lock in the same manner as was described in connection with the element 86. Obviously, however,vthe locking element 86 will face in a direction opposite to that of the element 86.

moving the arm in the direction of its length and towards its pivot and for then moving it angularly about its pivot away from the first clip into its second position and into cooperation with the second clip, the said means being adapted to move the arm when it is in its second position first in the direcmoving the switch arm-endwise to disengage 7 it from the contact and for then swinging it about said pivot to move the arm away from the contact, and means for moving the arm endwise in a direction opposite and by an amount substantially equal to said first endwise movement prior to engaging the contact upon closing the switch.

3. In a switch, a statlonary contact, an arm having a blade adapted to engage said contact, means for pullingthe blade longitudinally out of engagement'with thereontact, said means'including a pivotal mounting for the arm, and means for compelling the blade to be thrust out endwise by an amount substantially equal to said first longitudinal movement before it engages the 3:" contact upon closing the switch.

- In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 26th day of January, 1926.

1 TONY VAN RYAN.

ALFRED ALSAKER.

The operation of this mechanism is believed to be evident from what has gone before.

hen the portion 65 of theblade'is in 'engagement with the terminal the element 86 will be engaged by the locking dogs'of the lock 75 which will hold the blade in a locked:

position. Upon actuating the previously described mechanism to move the blade length wise out of engagement with the terminal 90, the element 86 will also be moved out of locked position or out of engagement with the lock 75.

1 Although we have disclosed and described in detail thetpreferred embodiment of our invention, it is, of course, to be understood thatthe invention is not to be limited there by, but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

We claim v 1. In combination, a switch arm pivotally supported, a first clip cooperable with the switch arm when it is in one posit'on, a second clip 'cooperable with the arm when it is 1n a second position, and means for first 

